Keeping My Oath

The ballots are in the mail, and should start arriving this week. I have tried to get to as many places as possible, but the demands of the job have kept me busy. If I missed seeing you, I apologize and ask your consideration for reelection as International UAW Vice President.

Four years ago, I ran on the idea of placing control of the UAW back in the hands of the membership. I started every day over the past four years with that in mind. It has been an honor and privilege for me to serve our members in the GM and Gaming sectors over the past four years.

When I took the oath of office, I pledged to perform my duties, maintain allegiance to the union, uphold its policies, and return union property at the end of their term. I am proud of what we have accomplished over the past four years. The 2023 agreements were some of the best in the history of our union. Our members at GM have seen record profit-sharing checks, new products, security for the future and a better path. I take pride in the fact I am the only candidate running for International UAW Vice President that led negotiations at the big three in 2023. I have the experience, relationships and staff to continue to bargain for our members.

While I take pride in the oath of office that I took as Vice President, there is one that I hold dearer. That one is the pledge I took in 1991 when I first became a UAW member. That pledge included the words “to faithfully observe the constitution and laws of this Union and the Constitution of the United States, to comply with all the rules and regulations for the government there of “ and “to so conduct myself at all times as not to bring reproach upon my Union, and at all times to bear true and faithful allegiance to the International Union.” Those have been my guiding principles as I represented the entire membership at the International Executive Board. Each vote that I have cast has been in your best interest, not the interest of anyone else. At times, that didn’t make me popular, but I didn’t run for the job to always “fit it” but to always make a difference. I take pride in the fact I have been able to avoid negative press from our members and have not been mentioned in the monitors' reports.

The move to direct elections was a massive change in the way we do business as a union. It placed the power in the hands of the membership. Four years ago, I was the top vote earner for Vice President and your trust in me was very humbling. I still thank each of you for your support.

While the direct elections placed the power in the hands of the membership, it also placed the responsibility to exercise that power through voting. I humbly ask for your vote in this election cycle, but I encourage you to vote whether you cast a ballot for me or not. This is our defining time as a union. We must get these elections behind and then stand together in Solidarity. That is the only thing that gives us power against corporations with their lawyers, accountants and bought and paid for politicians.

I ask for your vote to continue to represent each of you in the manner in which you deserve. But either way, I ask you to make your voice heard by returning your ballot.

In Solidarity,

Mike